San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-12-12
CHAPTER XII.-FIRsT LESSONS.

Not woods or lanes in sunny July: not
the old-faShiOned garden or the simple
parlor Of the Lines; but dreary November
weather in London, and splendidly-furn-
ished drawing room in Upper Brook Street.
Velvet curtains shut out darkness and
driZZle: a superb fire blaZed on the hearth;
the soft, brilliant light from candelabra
and wax candles fell on rich carpet and in
laid tables, on mirrors and pictures, and
aesthetic colOrs, on lofty mantelpiece of
carved marble. and hundred costly trifles
here and there, making a whole at once
splendid and tasteful. There was no
crOwding and no display; you could move
freely, without any fear of knocking down
gimcrack tables or spider-legged chairs;
but everything was genuine, and Gil was
harmonious, producing on the eye precise
ly the effect that ought to be produCed-a
sense of charmed repOse.
Before the hearth stood small table,
and on it tea equipage Of china to delight
connoisseur. By this table were two
ladies-one, the elder, presiding over the
honors; the other leaning back in a low
velvet fduteuu
The first was handsome woman q per-
haps fifty, inclining to CmbOnpOint, but
carrying herself so we'll and of so stately a
bearing that her worst female enemy could
not have called her stout There was
scarcely tinge of gray in her black hair,
and she looked altogether remarkably
well-preserved possibly little made up"
but if so, the thing was done with marvel
Gus good taste. Her features showed firm
ness and intelligence, but gave little indi-
cation of tenderness or sympathy. You
could not imagine her woman TO whom
anyone would go in trouble or perpleXity.
She was dressed in black velvet, and the
rich simplicity of the material well became
her.
Her companion, with her golden brown
hair, perfect features, pale, pure skin, and
grace, would have been beautiful in sack
CLOTH the mOss-green velvet she wore made
the picture complete one, as she lOunged
in the dark-cOvered chair
Valerie Herbert had been q week in her
aunts house, and as yet she had seen no
one. She had been taken about TO shops,
and been tried on by milliners and dress
makers, and made TO select hats, and caps,
and opera-hoOds, and jewels, till she grew
weary of posing as a lay figure to be draped
and dressed up and told twenty times
N"S the'V ohO Nttc pNllCttig lpNGll, anu ali
the men would be at her feet, and all the
women would envy her.
Are you tired, my DEAR" said Mrs.
Langley, kindly, for Valerie had not spok.
en- for full five minutes, and was gazing
abstractedly into the fire. We'll never
mind, as the girl started and looked up,
lit is nearly over. You are not used to
that kind of thing. / am sorry was oblig-
ed to take you out to-day; but you shall
rest tomorrow. will get Hunt and Ros-
kell to send up the pearls for you to choose
from"
"Ohl aunt Constance, have one set Of
pearls already"
'They are not handsome enough. my
dear. want triple row for your neck at
your first dance, and earrings to match
You shall wear no other Jewels. You
didn't wear any at bennington. did you?"
81 had none to wear" replied the girl.
simply.
yet everyone said you looked perfect.
am not sure whether you shall wear any
after all" said Mrs. Langley, surveying
her niece meditatively. "Iremember Amy
Linwood wore none when she came out,
and charming she looked; and she is only
very pretty"
Amy LinwOOd'' said Valerie, eagerly.
''Dpes she live near to you'"